This Triangle restaurant is the best diner in NC, says Southern Living
Southern Living Magazine has named Poole’s Diner the best diner in North Carolina.
The diner — known for its nostalgic ambiance and modern culinary flair — is helmed by the James Beard Award-winning chef Ashley Christensen.
Poole’s Diner secured its spot on Southern Living’s list “The 23 Best Local Treasures In Every Southern State.” One other North Carolina location, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton, also made this list.
Read the list for yourself at southernliving.com.
Here’s what SL said of Christensen’s Poole’s Diner.
Southern Living named Poole’s Diner the best diner in NC
Southern Living praised the diner’s unique blend of retro aesthetics and modern charm.
• Atmosphere: “Diners often feel frozen in time, and while Poole’s has the retro chrome edging, and red artificial leather stools and booths, you won’t find anyone in old-school waitress uniforms. Instead, tattooed servers shuffle around under dim lighting to a Phoebe Bridgers soundtrack,” SL wrote.
• Menu: “[Servers] are happy to walk you through the long list of craft beers, or decipher the menu handwritten in chalk above the door. Christensen serves up thoughtfully modern takes on comfort food, be it roast chicken or potato salad. There’s not a speck of iceberg lettuce or a sticky Heinz bottle in sight,” SL wrote.
• Recommendation: SL loves the Macaroni Au Gratin.
• Visit: Located at 426 S. McDowell St. in Raleigh. Call 919-832-4477 or visit ac-restaurants.com/pooles for reservations.
Ashley Christensen’s award-winning Raleigh restaurants
Poole’s Diner is Christensen’s flagship restaurant and opened in 2007. Its name and decor came from the building’s original tenant, which was one of downtown Raleigh’s first restaurants, her website says.
In 2011, she opened three more spots:
Beasley’s Chicken + Honey
Fox Liquor Bar, which is located in Beasley’s basement
Chuck’s, which closed in spring 2020. It shared a kitchen with Beasley’s, which expanded as a result.
Death & Taxes came in 2015. It was a James Beard Award finalist for best new restaurant in 2016, and Food & Wine named it as one of the best new restaurants of the year
Then Poole’side Pies, a pizzeria next door to Poole’s Diner, opened in 2019. But the restaurant closed right before Christmas, making way for a new concept joint, she told The N&O in late December. In January, Christensen said the space will be used to expand the Poole’s Diner dining room.
This story was originally published March 11, 2024 at 3:26 PM with the headline "This Triangle restaurant is the best diner in NC, says Southern Living."
